US3090379A - Illuminated endoscope - Google Patents

Illuminated endoscope Download PDF

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US3090379A
US3090379A US3090379DA US3090379A US 3090379 A US3090379 A US 3090379A US 3090379D A US3090379D A US 3090379DA US 3090379 A US3090379 A US 3090379A
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endoscope
lamp
light source
objective lens
lens means
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/00071—Insertion part of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0008—Insertion part of the endoscope body characterised by distal tip features
    • A61B1/00096—Optical elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00163—Optical arrangements
    • A61B1/00174—Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles
    • A61B1/00177—Optical arrangements characterised by the viewing angles for 90 degrees side-viewing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0607—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements for annular illumination
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0615—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements for radial illumination
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
    • A61B1/0669—Endoscope light sources at proximal end of an endoscope
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/07—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S362/00—Illumination
    • Y10S362/804—Surgical or dental spotlight

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an improved illumination system for endoscopic and like optical instruments, and, more particularly, to an improved illumination system of this type arranged for directing a relatively large portion of the light emitted from a light source in the general direction of viewing.
  • One important object of the present invention is to provide an improved illumination system for illuminating the field of view and remote viewing instruments such as endoscopes and the like.
  • FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the front, or objective portion of a flexible endoscope including an illumination system according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lamp shown in the endoscope illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a lamp assembly for an endoscope according to a modified form of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 3.
  • the lamp for illuminating the field of view is usually located in front of the optical objective, thus presenting a parallax problem with respect to viewing objects at different distances from the objective, and also requiring an extension of the rigid housing within which the objective and lamp are ordinarily enclosed.
  • Illumination systems of this type are relatively inefiicient, because the light cannot be aimed directly at an object to be viewed, but must be spread out, and suificient light must be provided to illuminate the entire range of view.
  • the second problem, having to do with elongation of the rigid housing is of particular importance in flexible endoscopes wherein it is desired to minimize the length of each relatively rigid portion thereof in order to permit the endoscope to enter and pass through relatively sharply curved passageways and cavities in the body.
  • the foregoing disadvantages are effectively overcome by providing a so-called vertical illumination system in an endoscope.
  • One or more lamps are placed immediately adjacent to the objective lens of the endoscope for emitting light in the general direction of the viewing axis.
  • a window is also provided to permit emission of light from the lamp in a radial direction for side lighting and to improve contrast.
  • the major portion of the light is confined largely to the field of view of the objective for illuminating the region of interest without parallax.
  • the arrangement allows the use of a relatively low intensity lamp, while still providing adequate illumination over the entire range of view.
  • Another important advantage is the reduction in the overall length of the housing required for enclos ing the objective and the light source, since the lamp may be coextensive with the objective lens thereby requiring no additional housing length.
  • an endoscope of the type including an elongated flexible portion 10 for transmitting a light image from a region of interest such as a body cavity or the like to an accessible location for viewing.
  • the endoscope also includes an objective assembly 12 mounted within a relatively rigid cylindrical window 14 at the front of the flexible portion 10.
  • the objective assembly 12 projects an image of the region of interest into a field lens 16, which is cemented upon the front face 18 of a coherent, light transmitting, fiber bundle 20.
  • the field lens 16 directs the image rays into the individual fibers of the bundle 20 for transmission therethrough to the opposite end of the bundle for viewing.
  • a relatively short, soft, and highly flexible finger 22 is fixed at the front of the window 14, and serves to close the window, thereby sealing the objective assembly 12 within the window for protection against the action of body fluids and the like.
  • the objective assembly 12 includes an objective lens 24, mount 26 for the lens, an inclined mirror 28 positioned in front of the lens 24, and means (not shown) for controllably rotating thet mirror for scanning the field around the window 14.
  • a doughnut shaped lamp 30 is positioned directly around the objective lens 24, the lens being shielded from direct rays firom the lamp 30* by a cylindrical shield 32.
  • the lamp 30 may conveniently be of the gas discharge type filled with xenon and having a pair of discharge electrodes 34 and 36 which project interiorly into the lamp envelope and are electrically connected to lead wires 38 and 40 respectively.
  • the lead wires 38 and 40 extend rearwardly through the flexible portion 16 of the endoscope for connection to anenergization source 42.
  • a trigger voltage is also required for operation of this type of lamp at relatively low voltage energization levels, and is applied between a third electrode 44 and one of the two electrodes 34 and 36.
  • the trigger electrode 44 preferably comprises a metallic ring cemented externally to the lamp 330 and does not project into the interior of the lamp. It is connected to the energization source 42 through a third lead 46, which extends through the flexible portion 10.
  • the lamp 30 may 'be operated at a relatively low energizat-ion rate to provide illumination in the field of view.
  • Part of the light emitted by the lamp 3t) escapes radially outwardly, directly through the window 14 for general, oif axis illumination of the field around the window.
  • a large portion of the light from the :lamp 3% escapes generally forwardly from the lamp toward the mirror 28 in the viewing direction of the objective lens 24, and is reflected by the mirror 28, into the field of view.
  • a major portion of the light emitted by the lamp therefore, enters the field of view within the cone encompassed by the viewing angle of the objective lens 24 and illuminates the entire range of view without variations due to parallax.
  • the arrangement is relatively eflicient, and relatively 3 low level illumination may be used, with a consequent reduction in the size of the lamp required for adequate illumination, and a reduction in heat dissipation in the lamp.
  • the lamp 30 since the lamp 30 is placed immediately around the objective lens 24, the length of the relatively rigid window 14 may be minimized, because it is not necessary to extend the window to include a light source positioned forwardly of the mirror 28 as was the previous usual practice.
  • the practice of the invention is not limited to use of a doughnut shaped lamp such as the lamp 3-0 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, although this shape is presently preferred because it appears to permit maximum light emission from the available space in the endoscope.
  • the invention also contemplates the use of light sources of other types, and of other shapes in place of she doughnut shaped gas discharge lamp 30.
  • One such modification is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and includes an annular mounting plate 50 for supporting a plurality (-four being illustrated) of sub-miniature incandescent lamps 5-2 spaced at equal angular intervals therearound.
  • a pair of conductors 54 and 56 may be cemented or otherwise secured upon the surface of the plate 50, which may be of an insulating material such as Micarta, and the leads 5% and 60 of the lamps may he soldered or otherwise connected to the oonducto-ns 54 and 56.
  • the mounting annulus 50, with the lamps 52 secured thereto maybe used in place of the lamp 30' in the endoscope shown.
  • An endoscope com-prising in combination, an elongated tuibe, objective lens means in the forward end of said tube, a light source located concentrically around said lens means for radiating light through 360, a peripheral window mounted on the forward portion of said tube enclosing said light source, an intermediate wall separating said light source from said objective lens means and preventing the direct radiation of said light source from radiating on said objective lens means, and reflector means mounted within said window adjacent said objective lens means and axially rotatable relative to said window for directing a reflective illuminated objective image through said lens means.

Description

y 1, 1963 J. r. FERRIS ETAL ILLUMINATED ENDOSCOPE Filed May 16, 1960 JOHN T. FERRIS GUSTAV A.ULR ICH INVENTORS CfiuJ ATTORNEYS IHHII United states Patent 3,090,379 ILLURHNATED ENDOSCOPE John T. Ferris, Pittsiord, and Gustav A. Ulrich, Rochester, N.Y., assignors to Bausch & Lamb Incorporated, a corporation of'New York Filed May 16, 1960, Ser. No. 29,442 3 Claims. (61. 128-6) This invention relates to an improved illumination system for endoscopic and like optical instruments, and, more particularly, to an improved illumination system of this type arranged for directing a relatively large portion of the light emitted from a light source in the general direction of viewing.
One important object of the present invention is to provide an improved illumination system for illuminating the field of view and remote viewing instruments such as endoscopes and the like.
Other objects are: to provide an improved illumination system in an endoscope or like instrument of relatively high eificiency which is capable of providing maximum brilliance and a maximum concentration of light upon the region of interest; to provide an improved illumination system for endoscopic instruments in which a major portion of the light emitted from a light source is confined to the viewing field and directed in the viewing direc tion so that parallax effects are minimized and maximum illumination is provided in the region of interest regardless of its spacing from the objective lens of the instrument; to provide an illumination system for endoscopic instruments which is relatively compact and requires a minimum amount of space; and to provide an illumination system for a flexible endoscope, which may be housed in a rigid portion of the endoscope along with the optical objective thereof without requiring excessive elongation of the rigid portion.
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of representative embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawing, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the front, or objective portion of a flexible endoscope including an illumination system according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the lamp shown in the endoscope illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a lamp assembly for an endoscope according to a modified form of the invention; and
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 3.
In previous endoscopes, the lamp for illuminating the field of view is usually located in front of the optical objective, thus presenting a parallax problem with respect to viewing objects at different distances from the objective, and also requiring an extension of the rigid housing within which the objective and lamp are ordinarily enclosed. Illumination systems of this type are relatively inefiicient, because the light cannot be aimed directly at an object to be viewed, but must be spread out, and suificient light must be provided to illuminate the entire range of view. The second problem, having to do with elongation of the rigid housing is of particular importance in flexible endoscopes wherein it is desired to minimize the length of each relatively rigid portion thereof in order to permit the endoscope to enter and pass through relatively sharply curved passageways and cavities in the body.
According to the invention, the foregoing disadvantages are effectively overcome by providing a so-called vertical illumination system in an endoscope. One or more lamps are placed immediately adjacent to the objective lens of the endoscope for emitting light in the general direction of the viewing axis. A window is also provided to permit emission of light from the lamp in a radial direction for side lighting and to improve contrast. The major portion of the light is confined largely to the field of view of the objective for illuminating the region of interest without parallax. The arrangement allows the use of a relatively low intensity lamp, while still providing adequate illumination over the entire range of view. Another important advantage is the reduction in the overall length of the housing required for enclos ing the objective and the light source, since the lamp may be coextensive with the objective lens thereby requiring no additional housing length.
The practice of the invention is illustrated in the drawing as embodied in an endoscope of the type including an elongated flexible portion 10 for transmitting a light image from a region of interest such as a body cavity or the like to an accessible location for viewing. The endoscope also includes an objective assembly 12 mounted within a relatively rigid cylindrical window 14 at the front of the flexible portion 10. The objective assembly 12 projects an image of the region of interest into a field lens 16, which is cemented upon the front face 18 of a coherent, light transmitting, fiber bundle 20. The field lens 16 directs the image rays into the individual fibers of the bundle 20 for transmission therethrough to the opposite end of the bundle for viewing. A relatively short, soft, and highly flexible finger 22 is fixed at the front of the window 14, and serves to close the window, thereby sealing the objective assembly 12 within the window for protection against the action of body fluids and the like.
The objective assembly 12 includes an objective lens 24, mount 26 for the lens, an inclined mirror 28 positioned in front of the lens 24, and means (not shown) for controllably rotating thet mirror for scanning the field around the window 14.
For illumination purposes a doughnut shaped lamp 30 is positioned directly around the objective lens 24, the lens being shielded from direct rays firom the lamp 30* by a cylindrical shield 32. The lamp 30 may conveniently be of the gas discharge type filled with xenon and having a pair of discharge electrodes 34 and 36 which project interiorly into the lamp envelope and are electrically connected to lead wires 38 and 40 respectively. The lead wires 38 and 40 extend rearwardly through the flexible portion 16 of the endoscope for connection to anenergization source 42. A trigger voltage is also required for operation of this type of lamp at relatively low voltage energization levels, and is applied between a third electrode 44 and one of the two electrodes 34 and 36. The trigger electrode 44 preferably comprises a metallic ring cemented externally to the lamp 330 and does not project into the interior of the lamp. It is connected to the energization source 42 through a third lead 46, which extends through the flexible portion 10.
In operation, the lamp 30 may 'be operated at a relatively low energizat-ion rate to provide illumination in the field of view. Part of the light emitted by the lamp 3t) escapes radially outwardly, directly through the window 14 for general, oif axis illumination of the field around the window. A large portion of the light from the :lamp 3% escapes generally forwardly from the lamp toward the mirror 28 in the viewing direction of the objective lens 24, and is reflected by the mirror 28, into the field of view. A major portion of the light emitted by the lamp, therefore, enters the field of view within the cone encompassed by the viewing angle of the objective lens 24 and illuminates the entire range of view without variations due to parallax.
The arrangement is relatively eflicient, and relatively 3 low level illumination may be used, with a consequent reduction in the size of the lamp required for adequate illumination, and a reduction in heat dissipation in the lamp. Moreover, since the lamp 30 is placed immediately around the objective lens 24, the length of the relatively rigid window 14 may be minimized, because it is not necessary to extend the window to include a light source positioned forwardly of the mirror 28 as was the previous usual practice.
The practice of the invention is not limited to use of a doughnut shaped lamp such as the lamp 3-0 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, although this shape is presently preferred because it appears to permit maximum light emission from the available space in the endoscope. The invention also contemplates the use of light sources of other types, and of other shapes in place of she doughnut shaped gas discharge lamp 30. One such modification is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and includes an annular mounting plate 50 for supporting a plurality (-four being illustrated) of sub-miniature incandescent lamps 5-2 spaced at equal angular intervals therearound. A pair of conductors 54 and 56 may be cemented or otherwise secured upon the surface of the plate 50, which may be of an insulating material such as Micarta, and the leads 5% and 60 of the lamps may he soldered or otherwise connected to the oonducto- ns 54 and 56. The mounting annulus 50, with the lamps 52 secured thereto maybe used in place of the lamp 30' in the endoscope shown.
Certain other features of the endoscope illustrated in the drawing are described and claimed in the following co-pending applications for Letters Patent of the United States:
Gilbert J. Sheldon, Ser. No. 679,566, filed August 22, 1957, entitled Flexible Tube Structures," and now Patent No. 3,060,972.
Gilbert J. Sheldon, Ser. No. 686,320, filed September 26, 1957, entitled Optical Viewing Instrument, and now Patent No. 2,975,785.
Gilbert I. Sheldon, Ser. No. 715,820, filed February 17, 1958, entitled Optical System for Endoscopes and the Like, and now Patent No. 2,987,960.
Gilbert I. Sheldon, Ser. No. 815,387, filed May 25, 1959,
entitled Illumination Means (for Diagnostic Instrument, and now Patent No. 3,042,022.
Gilbert J. Sheldon et -al., Ser. No. 29,416, filed concurrently herewith, entitled Focusing Endoscope.
John T. Ferris et al., Ser. No. 29,264, filed concurrently herewith, entitled Duodenoscope, and now Patent No. 3,057,345.
Gustav A. Uhidh, Ser. No. 29,255, filed concurrently herewith, entitled Holder for Camera and Viewing Device.
John T. Ferris et 211., Serial No. 29,417, filed concurrently herewith, entitled improved Endoscope Illumination.
' Gustav A. Ulrich, Ser. No. 29,443, filed concurrently herewith, entitled Bi-Directionally Flexible Segmented Tube.
What is claimed is:
1. An endoscope com-prising in combination, an elongated tuibe, objective lens means in the forward end of said tube, a light source located concentrically around said lens means for radiating light through 360, a peripheral window mounted on the forward portion of said tube enclosing said light source, an intermediate wall separating said light source from said objective lens means and preventing the direct radiation of said light source from radiating on said objective lens means, and reflector means mounted within said window adjacent said objective lens means and axially rotatable relative to said window for directing a reflective illuminated objective image through said lens means.
2. An endoscope as defined inclaim 1 in which said light source is an annular bulb.
.3. An endoscope as defined in claim 1 in which said light source is a plurality of lamps.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 300,525 Starr June 17, 1884 556,693 Quirnby Mar. 17, 1896 728,589 Levi May 19, 1903 2,843,112 Miller July 15, 1958 2,877,368 Sheldon Mar. 10, 1959 2,932,294 Fourstier et a1. Apr. 12, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,821 Great Britain 1901 158,149 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1921

Claims (1)

1. AN ENDOSCOPE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, AN ELONGATED TUBE, OBJECTIVE LENS MEANS IN THE FORWARD END OF SAID TUBE, A LIGHT SOURCE LOCATED CONCENTRICALLY AROUND SAID LENS MEANS FOR RADIATING LIGHT THROUGH 360*, A PERIPHERAL WINDOW MOUNTED ON THE FORWARD PORTION OF SAID TUBE ENCLOSING SAID LIGHT SOURCE, AN INTERMEDIATE WALL SEPARATING SAID LIGHT SOURCE FROM SAID OBJECTIVE LENS MEANS AND PREVENTING THE DIRECT RADIATION OF SAID LIGHT SOURCE FROM RADIATING ON SAID OBJECTIVE LENS MEANS, AND REFLECTOR MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID WINDOW ADJACENT SAID OBJECTIVE LENS MEANS AND AXIALLY ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO SAID WINDOW FOR DIRECTING A REFLECTIVE ILLUMINATED OBJECTIVE IMAGE THROUGH SAID LENS MEANS.
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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3357433A (en) * 1962-12-04 1967-12-12 Centre Nat Rech Scient Endoscope for illumination and observation of contacting distal regions
US3773039A (en) * 1971-07-14 1973-11-20 Olympus Optical Co Endoscope
US3779233A (en) * 1971-09-30 1973-12-18 Espey Mfg & Electronics Corp Speculum instrument with disposable forward section
US4350149A (en) * 1978-10-27 1982-09-21 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope and illumination optical system therefor
US5800343A (en) * 1994-08-18 1998-09-01 Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope light guide connector allowing adjustment of the angle of incident light rays
US6217512B1 (en) * 1997-12-12 2001-04-17 Program For Appropriate Technology In Health Self-illuminated, non-invasive, visual cervical inspection apparatus and method
US20060029381A1 (en) * 2004-08-04 2006-02-09 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Camera device having automatic focusing function
US20060173245A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-03 Stryker Corporation Disposable attachable light source unit for an endoscope
US20090287137A1 (en) * 1996-11-21 2009-11-19 Boston Scientific Corporation Mucosal ablation
US7668450B2 (en) 2005-01-28 2010-02-23 Stryker Corporation Endoscope with integrated light source

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB158149A (en) *
US300525A (en) * 1884-06-17 Eleotbio light
US556693A (en) * 1896-03-17 Charles e
GB190123821A (en) * 1901-11-23 1902-11-06 Paul Poirier Improvements in Apparatus specially adapted for the Investigation or Inspection of the Stomach.
US728589A (en) * 1899-08-12 1903-05-19 Leone Levi Surgical instrument.
US2843112A (en) * 1954-06-30 1958-07-15 Bernard J Miller Light transmitting means for endoscopes
US2877368A (en) * 1954-03-11 1959-03-10 Sheldon Edward Emanuel Device for conducting images
US2932294A (en) * 1954-10-13 1960-04-12 Centre Nat Rech Scient Lighting devices for endoscopes

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB158149A (en) *
US300525A (en) * 1884-06-17 Eleotbio light
US556693A (en) * 1896-03-17 Charles e
US728589A (en) * 1899-08-12 1903-05-19 Leone Levi Surgical instrument.
GB190123821A (en) * 1901-11-23 1902-11-06 Paul Poirier Improvements in Apparatus specially adapted for the Investigation or Inspection of the Stomach.
US2877368A (en) * 1954-03-11 1959-03-10 Sheldon Edward Emanuel Device for conducting images
US2843112A (en) * 1954-06-30 1958-07-15 Bernard J Miller Light transmitting means for endoscopes
US2932294A (en) * 1954-10-13 1960-04-12 Centre Nat Rech Scient Lighting devices for endoscopes

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3357433A (en) * 1962-12-04 1967-12-12 Centre Nat Rech Scient Endoscope for illumination and observation of contacting distal regions
US3773039A (en) * 1971-07-14 1973-11-20 Olympus Optical Co Endoscope
US3779233A (en) * 1971-09-30 1973-12-18 Espey Mfg & Electronics Corp Speculum instrument with disposable forward section
US4350149A (en) * 1978-10-27 1982-09-21 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope and illumination optical system therefor
US5800343A (en) * 1994-08-18 1998-09-01 Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope light guide connector allowing adjustment of the angle of incident light rays
US20090287137A1 (en) * 1996-11-21 2009-11-19 Boston Scientific Corporation Mucosal ablation
US6217512B1 (en) * 1997-12-12 2001-04-17 Program For Appropriate Technology In Health Self-illuminated, non-invasive, visual cervical inspection apparatus and method
US20060029381A1 (en) * 2004-08-04 2006-02-09 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Camera device having automatic focusing function
US20060173245A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-03 Stryker Corporation Disposable attachable light source unit for an endoscope
US7668450B2 (en) 2005-01-28 2010-02-23 Stryker Corporation Endoscope with integrated light source
US8029439B2 (en) 2005-01-28 2011-10-04 Stryker Corporation Disposable attachable light source unit for an endoscope
US8246230B2 (en) 2005-01-28 2012-08-21 Stryker Corporation Disposable attachable light source unit for an endoscope

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